Alpha Coal Project

The Alpha Coal Project is a coal mine project proposed by is a project proposed by Hancock Coal. The project is located 120 km south-west of Clermont.

The project, which is currently the subject of a feasibility study, would produce 30 million tonnes of thermal coal per annum. The total cost of the mine, port and rail facilities for the project have been estimated to be $7.5 billion. The project would employ 2500 during construction and 1600 during operation.

Background
On its website, Hancock Coal states that "in 1993 Mrs Rinehart decided HPPL [Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd] should apply for the Alpha thermal coal tenements in Queensland. An extensive exploration program and a pre-feasibility study have since been undertaken by HPPL, and a JORC reserve of in excess of two billion tonnes of good quality thermal coal, has been identified. HPPL is currently in the process of seeking partners to develop this major resource."

A trial shipment of coal from the Alpha coal mine is scheduled for June 26, 2011. In a media release Hancock Coal stated that "the first shipment is destined for a power station in the Republic of Korea." The company stated that the "first coal export ceremony" will be "attended by prospective international coal customers, predominantly from the power generation sector. Hancock has ensured a broad ranging customer base encompassing some 13 buyers in 6 countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, Korea, and India."

Contact details
Website: http://hancockcoal.com.au/files/publication/HP001_HCPL_Invest_Bro_27_July.pdf

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